Obituary of Richard Edward Foster

Deacon Richard E. Foster Jr. son of the late Richard Foster Sr. and the late Emily Logan Foster was born on September 20, 1926 in Cumberland, VA. Deacon Foster professed Jesus Christ at an early age and joined Rocky Mount Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev Self Randall. On March 16, 1951, he was joined together in Holy matrimony to Georgia M. Allen. To their union there were five sons and one daughter. He was educated in Cumberland County, graduating from the Cumberland Training School. He was a man of purpose, and one of the things he professed early in his life was his love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to provide for his family. On July 24, 1952, he entered military service with the United States Army. After a successful tour he was Honorably Discharged on July 13th 1954. After returning from his tour of duty, he became active in the church where he served in many capacities to include the Sunday school where he became Superintendent and served faithfully for numerous years. He was also one of the original members of the Rocky Mount Men's Chorus. In October 1965, he was ordained as a deacon at Rocky Mount Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Paul Evans. Years later Deacon Foster became Chairman of the Deacon's Board where he served until his passing. Deacon Foster had a true love for his Rocky Mount Church family, so much that he aided in the construction of the new Rocky Mount Baptist Church in which we worship in today. Deacon Foster's dedicated service has earned him numerous Certificates of Appreciation, to included; The Board of Director of the Piedmont Action Council (for being a founding trustee of that organization), Certificate of Appreciation from Mason Randolph Lodge #30 for 27 years of excellent service, also he was elected and installed as Worshipful Master of Mason Randolph Lodge #30 located in Farmville, Va. Deacon Foster was self-employed as a farmer, a barber, and a surveyor. For numerous years he worked in transportation for the Cumberland County Public School system. In 1972, he was appointed to the Cumberland County School Board until 1980. On November 5, 1980, by a special election he was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Supervisor where he served until December 31, 1991. He was a minority member of the ASCS Board, and a member of the NAACP. In 1982 he became employed by the United Postal Service as a mail carrier. His colleagues referred to him as "a man of great character and dedication, who rarely called in." He served with the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement on September 9th 2014. Deacon Foster's life was a true testament to his favorite quote that comes from St. John chapter 9 verse 4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Deacon Foster would extend a helping hand to anyone that needed help. He was a good man that had faith in God, who was a follower of Christ. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Most recently Deacon Foster's health began to fail but he never complained, he continued to fight the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith. On Wednesday, September 17, 2014 he departed this life at his home in Cumberland County Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Edward Darnell Foster and Lowell Anthony Foster. He will be greatly missed by his family, community, and friends. He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife of 63 years, Deaconess Georgia Allen Foster; three sons, Michael Allen (Jackie), of New Jersey; Jeffery Allan Foster (Angela), of Meherrin Va., Christopher Kyle Foster (Phyllis), of Lawton Ok; one daughter, Emma Watson of Cumberland, Va.; daughter-in-laws, Jackie Foster, Hampton Va. and Daisy Foster, Amelia Va.; one brother, Junius Foster (Lucille); one sister, Lottie Johnson, (Douglas) all of Cumberland, Va; 13 grandchildren; James, Bonnie, Michelle, Regina, Hakim, April, Keisha, Danyelle, Christian, Joshua, Jazmine, Tyra, and Aaliyah;15 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, one devoted, Tyler Thomas; other relatives and friends.